The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Gas, Dr Ben K.D Asante has been recognized as the Energy Personality of the Year at the Ghana Energy Awards 2019. The award was for his excellent performance in the country’s energy sector. Notable among his achievements was the transformation of the Ghana National Gas Company to become a major player in the power sector both locally and internationally. Dr. Asante, since 2017, initiated some policies including the maintenance of a balance sheet from bad to clean, recording a profit of over $60million and the acquisition of an ultra-modern office space in Accra to serve as the company’s head office as well as the construction of a gas complex for his outfit at their operational base at Allabokazo in the Western Region. Under his supervision, the company has successfully completed two tie-ins at Sanzule which has increased gas production from 90 million cubic feet to 350 million cubic feet. A speech read on his behalf after receiving the award said, “The award is a testament of the work that he has been doing since he was appointed as CEO of Ghana Gas for over 29 years of experience.” Chief Executive Officer of UBI Group, Salma Okonkwo, also emerged Female Energy Personality of the Year. She established the company in 2008 with the aim to close the energy supply gap in Northern Ghana by trading diesel and petroleum wholesale and operating retail gas. The Energy Minister, John Peter Amewu, in his keynote address, indicated that his outfit is pursuing its broad policy goal to ensure that the country has adequate, reliable and competitively-priced power for domestic, commercial and industrial use and also for exports. “For the first time in the history of this country, export arrangements are currently underway between Ghana-Burkina Faso, Ghana-Benin, and Ghana-Togo and the country Ghana is now exporting almost 250MW of power on daily basis to these countries” He said. Mr. Amewu was honoured with Exemplary Leadership Award at the event for his immense contribution to the sector since his appointment. Other awards Lifetime Achievement Award - Erasmus Alexander Kalitsi (Former VRA CEO) Osagyefo Young Leadership Award – Dr. Ben Boakye CEO of the Year (Power) – Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa (CEO – VRA) CEO of the Year (Petroleum) – Alhassan Tampuli (CEO – NPA) Rising Star (Individual) – Ernest Amissah (CEO – Sun Power Innovations) Rising Star (Company) – PETROSOL Energy Institution of the Year – Petroleum Commission Industry Leadership Award (Power) – GRIDCO Industry Leadership Award (Petroleum) – GOIL Energy Company of the Year (Power) – Bui Power Authority Energy Company of the Year (Petroleum) – Ghana Gas Energy Company of the Year (Renewable) – Strategic Security Systems Innovation Project of the Year – VRA Strategic Deal of the Year – Springfield Energy Business Leadership Award (Male) – Senyo Hosi (CEO – CBOD) Energy Business Leadership Award (Female) – Efua Quansah (Country Director – PEG Ghana) Emerging Energy Company of the Year – Webber Energy Energy Consultancy Service Company of the Year – ACEP Brand of the Year – Vivo Energy Corporate Social Responsibility of the Year – Kosmos Energy Excellence in Power Generation – Karpowership Clean Energy Initiative of the Year – VRA Off-Grid Energy Solution of the Year – Total Ghana Energy Efficient Organization of the Year (Private) – Ashesi University Energy Efficient Organization of the Year (Public) – Energy Commission Best Energy Reporter of the Year – Michael Creg Afful – Oman FM